Michael Jordan Donates Settlement From Dominick's, Jewel To 23 Chicago Area Non-Profits
(CBS) -- Former Bulls superstar Michael Jordan announced Tuesday that he donated the proceeds from settlement with Dominick's and Jewel-Osco to 23 local charities.
Shortly after a jury awarded Jordan $8.9 million last summer for using his number and likeness in a 2009 ad without his permission, he promised he would donate the proceeds to charity. He later settled the case with Dominick's owner and a related case with Jewel-Osco for an undisclosed amount.
"I care deeply about the city of Chicago and have such incredible memories from my years there," Jordan said in a statement. "The 23 charities I've chosen to make donations to all support the health, education and well-being of the kids of Chicago. Chicago has given me so much and I want to give back to its kids – the city's future."
The 23 charities receiving a donation are: After School Matters, Casa Central, Chicago Scholars, Chicago Youth Programs, Children's Literacy Initiative, Christopher House, Common Threads, Erikson Institute, Gary Comer Youth Center, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund – Illinois, KEEN Chicago, La Casa Norte, La Rabida Children's Hospital, Make-A-Wish Illinois, New Moms, New Teacher Center, The Ounce of Prevention Fund, Project Exploration, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Sinai Health System, SOS Children's Villages Illinois, Tutoring Chicago.
Jill Zimmerman of the Greater Chicago Food Depository says they are "gratful" for Jordan's donation.
"We were told that he has a strong commitment to children and to organizations that are invested in health in the community," Zimmerman said.
Deliveries are made from the Greater Chicago Food Depository's 268,000 square foot facility in Chicago's Archer Heights neighborhood each day. They give food to 812,000 people in Cook County each year.
"We do that through a variety programs, whether it's focused on children, older adults, veterans," Zimmerman said. "We have about 450 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters that we distribute to."
Volunteers are the backbone of the organization that was founded more than 30 years ago.
"Every year we have about 20,000 individual volunteers who come to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and give their time to support our mission and make sure their neighbors have enough food to eat," said Jim Conwell of the GCFD.
Because of the terms of the lawsuit settlement, the amount each charity receives, is confidential.